CA2115598A1 - Baseball pitching practice zone - Google Patents

Abstract

It is common and generally accepted that in order to develop pitching skills a baseball pitcher practices within an environment unlike that of the real game of baseball. This invention provides for an indoor centre infield pitching practice environment which emulates that of the actual game of baseball and also is electronically equipped to assess and display certain conditions of pitched balls. The combination of the apparatus which attempts to physically create a baseball game environment comprises a pitcher's mound, constructed a specified distance from a home plate target area, batter, catcher and umpire human figures having baseball attire and equipment, all positioned in a ready for the pitch stance. These movable figures are designedly placed near the home plate area having a home plate, batter's boxes, catcher's box and partial base line markings emulating those of a baseball infield. After receiving the practice ball at the mound, tossed by a user-actuated mechanical device near the home plate area, the user can now prepare to deliver a practice pitch to a simulated actual game target. The pitched ball may then be electronically assessed for accuracy and speed, and electronically registered values may then be displayed for the user. This invention also provides for video cameras, strategically mounted and optionally operated to record the mechanics of the user's delivery.

A preferred alternative to the use of the three dimensional resilient human figures is the use of photographic projections onto a resilient screen which will absorb and resist the frequent impact of pitched balls. This alternative could create a combination of a two and three dimensional target area and allow for an effective method for positional alterations of the human baseball figures.

Description

- BASE~ALL Pl~ G PRACTIC~ ZON~

This invention relates to an indoor baseball p;tching practice zone, whereby through the use of a combi~ation of its apparatus, the user can develop pitching skills. Various types of indoor pitching practice methods and portable devices are known, such as employing the simple game of catch in a school gymnasium. This method of practice has the disadvantage of requiring a "catcher" and is a poor simulation of the actual playing field.
There are other types of pitching practice apparatus such as the ones described and illustrated in the United States Patent No. 5,064,194 filed January 18, 1991 and United States Patent No. 5,046,729 filed September 12, 1990. Such devices have the disadvantage of merely providing a two dimensional unrealistic target. These targets do not emulate a real three dimensional game simulation such as employing the use of a "home plate", "catchern, "batter" and an "umpiren.
The site from which the user pitches a ball is variable and the distance is not defined in these earlier inventions. The user may not necessarily pitch from a raised "regulation moundn. The simulation of the catcher returning the baseball to the user has not been achieved in these filed inventions.
A "practice game" out of doors on a baseball diamond, is one method incorporating the development of pitching skills whereby the pitcher's raised mound, target and the return of the baseball simulates the game of baseball.

This method of practice has many disadvantages. The practice game does not provide solitude for the "pitcher". The "pitcher" must rely on others in order to practice pitching using this method. The out door practice game does not in most cases permit the flexibility of practice time and is obviously controlled by weather conditions and presumptively the time of year. Another disadvantage to the "practice game" method of pitching practice is that normally the monitoring and the displaying of each pitch is not performed.
It is desirable to practice pitching a baseball from a "regulation mound" to a target at a specifîed distance, most closely emulating the real three dimensional game of baseball.
It is also desirable to practice in solitude in order to achieve timing flexibility and greater focusing on pitching skills. This new invention provides for an indoor pitching practice zone. It is thusly climate controlled, assesses, and simulates the game. The human figures appear real but will not interrupt a practice session. A baseball is tossed to the practicing pitcher through the use of a "pitching machine" in order to imitate the time elapsed between pitches, thereby emulating the pace of an actual game. The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the previous unrealistic and weather-governed previous pitching practice methods and proposals.

~ The invention, as exemplified by a preferred embodiment, is described with reference to the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a plan or top view of the target area at Nhome plate". Figure 2 is a top view of the "pitcher's mound"
area. Figure 3 is an elevation of the target area, as shown in Figure 1. ~igure 4 is a section of the line A-A as delineated in Figure 2.
Referring to the drawings, the embodiment of the invention shown, a pitching practice zone and its apparatus comprises a home plate 6 a specified distance from a pitcher's plate 17. The plates, preferably white rubberlike materials are of the size and shape as is regulated in the rules of baseball and are secured to the floor and mound respectfully. The practice zone which emulates a partial "infield" of a baseball diamond comprises an area longitudinally from a backstop 13 to a location outside and behind the circumference of the mound 19. It is preferred to enclose the zone with walls 16. Markings 7, preferably white and secured to the floor, indicate the batter's box, catcher's box and partial first and third base lines. The backstop 13 is constructed of a resilient material to absorb the energy of pitched baseballs and impede the rebound act;on.
The pitcher's mound 23, the location from which the user delivers the baseball to the target or home plate area is constructed so as to simulate an actual baseball pitcher's 211~5g8 ~ mound, conforming to specifications regulating materials, size, shape, slopes and location of the plate. To depict its perimeter the level area at the top or highest elevation of the mound is illustrated using a dotted line 18 in Figure 2.
A switch 22 is located near the mound and may be actuated preferably by a foot of the user. When the user is ready to receive a baseball for the purpose of preparing for a practice pitch, the user can actuate the switch. A baseball is tossed to the user from a mechanical pitching machine 9, preferably located behind the backstop. The user or practicing pitcher then positions a foot at the plate 17 and delivers the baseball to a catcher 2. The catcher, preferably a three dimensional resilient human figure comprises a full attire and catcher's equipment. The catcher is positioned ready to receive a pitch from the user. The left arm 4 should be preferably rendered adjustable in order to vary the target location, and it is further preferred that the catcher's ~mitt" is the target. The target or mitt may then be adJusted to a position specified by the user but is preferred to remain inside the specified "strike zone~.
Upon the delivery of the baseball to the target zone an electronic "umpire's eye" 11, may be used to register the location of the pitched ball as it passes near the ~home plate" area and send a signal to disp~ay the call, indicating a "strike" or "ball" on a preferred electronic display board 12.

2115~98 - The speed of the pitched ball may also be measured with the use of an electronic device 10, and displayed on an electronic display board 12. Similarly, the "pitch count" and the total number of "outs" may be electronically counted and displayed using the above electronic devices either singularly or in combination.
Optional video recording cameras shown on Figure 2 and indicated as ao may be incorporated in the practice zone for the purpose of studying the kinesiology of the user during the delivery of the baseball to the target zone. The four views as illustrated in Figure 2 are preferred. The cameras are mounted in such a manner so as not to distract the user during the practice pitches.
In order to maintain the effect of a real target area it is desirable to employ a three dimensional resilient human figure emulating an umpire shown as 3 in Figures 1 and 3.
The umpire may also be adjustable in order to slide laterally left and right to follow the possible altered positioning of the catcher, 2. The batter, indicated as 1 in Figures 1 and 3 is shown as a ~right handed" batter and may be set into position mechanically or manually. The batter may also bear an adjustable feature so as to "crowd the plate", stay away from the plate, stand "up in the box" or "back in the box~. It may be necessary to provide a slotted track, 5 upon which the human figures might slide, in order to be moved to their different stations.

~15598 -~ In Figure 1, 8 illustrates a "left handed" batter.
This human figure is constructed like the others. The left batter as depicted in the drawings, is not in use but is available to replace the right batter when so desired by the user. This batter is preferably not in the user's line of vision while the practice pitches are being conducted.
The figures 1 and 8 emulate baseball batters and include the attire as well as the "bat" itself. They are constructed of a resilient material to oYercome the possible impact of pitched baseballs.
In figure 1, 14 represents the space or floor area behind the backstop. This may be used for the servicing of electronic, electrical or mechanical equipment. The space may also be used for the handling or loading of baseballs.
A wall, delineated as 15 is preferred to be an exterior wal1 of the building which may house the entire practice area.
A preferred modification to the use of the three dimensional human baseball figures is the application of photographic projections of baseball figures onto a resilient screen which also serves as a backstop. The screen is preferably located behind home plate so that the catcher and umpire figures can be projected photographically while the three dimensional batter figure stands in front of the screen in a batter's box. This modification creates a home plate target area comprising a combination of both two and three dimensional elements while visually emulating a game environment.

2~ 1 559~

~ Although only a single embodiment of the present invention has been described and illustrated, the present invention is not limited to the features of this embodiment, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope of the claims.

Claims (12)

1. An indoor zone embodying assembled apparatus emulating a portion of a baseball infield for the purpose of practicing and developing pitching skills in the sport of baseball, comprising:

combined elements imitating a pitcher's mound and pitcher's plate at one distal end of the zone; and a home plate, batter's boxes, catcher's box, partial base lines, batter, catcher, and umpire figures and a backstop positioned at the opposite distal end of the zone to the pitcher's mound; and electronic, electrical and mechanical devices for the purposes of tossing practice balls to the user at the mound, measuring the speeds of practice pitches, evaluating the accuracy of the pitches, counting the pitches, displaying the pitch count, balls, strikes, speed of pitches, projecting baseball figures and shapes onto a screen or backstop, and video recording the kinesis of the user.

2. A zone as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mound is constructed using the same or similar materials as is used in the game of baseball, imitating the size and shape of each of the elements which comprise a pitcher's mound, and regulated by certain specifications.

3. A zone as claimed in claim 1, wherein the target area at home plate comprises a left or right batter, a catcher and an umpire constructed as movable and resilient three dimensional human figures, all fitted with baseball attire and baseball equipment and positioned ready for the pitch.

4. A zone as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein the catcher's mitt is movable by altering the position of the left arm and hand which is integral with and connected to the mitt.

5. a zone as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein the human figures, singularly or in any combination are projected by means of a photographic projector onto a resilient screen, emulating a baseball home plate area, in a two dimensional format or emulating a home plate target area in a combination of a two dimensional and three dimensional format.

6. A zone as claimed in claim 5, wherein the resilient screen upon which the human baseball figure or figures are projected is constructed with a material which will absorb the impact of pitched baseballs.

7. A zone as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electromechanical device which tosses a practice ball to the user at the mound, simulates the delivery from the catcher and is user-actuated through the use of a switching device.

8. A zone as claimed in claim 1 or 5, wherein the device used for projecting figures and shapes onto the screen or backstop is a photographic slide projector capable of effecting movement or positional adjustment to the human baseball figures.

9. A zone as claimed in claim 1, wherein an electronic device used for evaluating the accuracy of the pitches, registers the location of the ball as it passes through or near the home plate area and differentiates between a ball which passes through a specified strike zone and a ball which does not pass through a specified strike zone.

10. A zone as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic device used for evaluating pitches, electronically displays a strike or a ball, viewable by the user.

11. A zone as claimed in claim 1, wherein an electronic device registers the speed of pitches and displays the speed, viewable by the user.

12. A zone as claimed in claim 1, 5 or 8, wherein the device used for projecting figures and shapes onto the screen or backstop is computer hardware and software.